The Labour Party has strongly condemned recent statements by its former vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, declaring President Bola Tinubu’s government “questionably constitutional.” In a Friday statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, said: “We view this comment as undemocratic and dissociate ourselves from any action capable of inciting Nigerians against the present government.”
The party emphasized it had accepted the Supreme Court’s verdict on the 2023 presidential election, stating: “For the interest and peace of the nation, the Labour Party accepted the judgement of the Supreme Court, not because we were pleased but because of the finality of the Supreme Court’s judgement. The party has since moved on.”
However, the LP expressed alarm that Baba-Ahmed repeated his claims during what it called an “illegal and unconstitutional meeting” convened by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi on April 9. The statement warned: “This statement is clearly inciting and a call for mass action against a constituted authority. We think there should be a limit to whipping up public sentiments against a legitimate government.”
The party drew parallels to regional instability, noting: “The Arab Spring that rattled the entire Middle East started when leaders paid no attention to subtle but persistent galvanization of youths against their governments.”
The statement also revealed grave concerns over Governor Otti’s alleged threats, quoting him as saying: “Abure refused an offer of the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees…and that he was ready to fumigate Abure and his team out of office,” with Otti reportedly warning of an imminent “dooms day.”
“We are therefore notifying Nigerians, particularly the National Security Adviser (NSA) to come to our aid as our lives are clearly in danger,” the statement continued. “We no longer feel safe.” The party directly linked these threats to recent comments by NLC President Joe Ajaero, alleging: “NLC’s rascality is equally being funded by the Abia State government.”
In a stern warning, the LP stated: “The Abia State governor should be held responsible should anything untoward happen to any of our leaders,” while calling on security agencies to provide protection for party officials.
The statement concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to democratic principles: “We insist on the rule of law and the respect for party supremacy as ordered recently by the Supreme Court.”
